2026 T20 World Cup Schedule To Be Changed? ICC to Review Fixtures as Bangladesh Rejects India Games

The 2026 T20 World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty after Bangladesh formally communicated its unwillingness to play matches in India, forcing the International Cricket Council to reassess tournament planning just weeks before the event begins.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has written to the ICC citing security concerns and requesting that its matches be moved out of India. The development comes amid a sharp deterioration in cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh following recent off-field controversies, putting organisers under pressure to find an urgent solution.

ICC begins schedule review amid India-Bangladesh strain

According to a report by The Indian Express, the International Cricket Council has begun working on a revised schedule for the T20 World Cup. ICC chairman Jay Shah is understood to be overseeing discussions after Bangladesh's letter raised the possibility of venue changes.

Relations between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have worsened following the decision to remove Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, triggering a standoff that organisers fear could mirror past geopolitical cricket disputes in the region.

Mustafizur Rahman exit sparks wider fallout

The row traces back to the BCCI directing three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman despite the franchise having bought the pacer for INR 9.20 crore at the Abu Dhabi auction.

KKR complied with the directive, releasing the 30-year-old soon after. The move prompted the BCB to call an emergency meeting, after which it formally approached the ICC seeking a shift of its World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka due to what it described as "growing concerns regarding the safety and security."

Tight timeline complicates World Cup planning

Reworking the schedule poses a major logistical challenge for organisers, with the tournament set to begin on February 7. Under the original itinerary, Bangladesh were slated to play all three of their Group C matches in Kolkata, opening against West Indies on February 7, followed by Italy on February 9 and England on February 14.

Their group stage was due to conclude with a final match against Nepal on February 17 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Any venue change would require swift coordination between host nations, broadcasters and teams.

Political pressure adds to cricketing tensions

Sources indicate that the BCB's decision was influenced by strong intervention from Bangladesh's interim government. Asif Nazrul, adviser for Youth and Sports in the Mohammad Yunus-led administration, publicly criticised the treatment of Bangladeshi cricketers.

"We won't stand for any insult to Bangladesh's cricket, cricketers and the country. The days of slavery are over," Nazrul wrote on Facebook. He added, "The Board should make it clear that where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to the World Cup. I have also instructed the board (BCB) to request its matches be held in Sri Lanka."

Nazrul also said he had written to concerned authorities to halt the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh. When the BCB confirmed sending its letter to the ICC, he welcomed the move and continued his criticism of the BCCI's policies.

Bangladesh have already named their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, with Litton Kumar Das set to lead the side. The 20-team tournament is scheduled to be played across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka between February 7 and March 8, though that plan now hangs in the balance.